TAMA 2011 Executive Committee and Board kick started the year with Sankranti Sambaraalu celebrating Sankranthi, the festival of kites, on February 5th at the Meadowcreek High School, Norcross, GA, with over 500 members attending this event.The venue was tastefully decorated with kites, sankranthi banners and a lamp for ‘Jyothi Prajwalana’. The event started with ‘Maa Telugu Talliki Song’ by Prasoona Vempaty, followed by the introduction of TAMA 2011 executive committee and board members and immediately followed by Jyoti Prajwalana by Chief Guest Dr Shyam Reddy, Platinum Sponsor Pramod Sajja of Paramount Software Solutions, along with the current TAMA team.

The tone of the cultural program was set with a patriotic song, coordinated by Ms.Santha Kumari, and an electrifying ‘Ganesh Vandanam’ dance performance by Planet U Performing Arts. This was followed by a grand colorful fashion show performed by the little ones who showcased the telugu culture and the spirit of Sankranthi by wearing traditional clothing styles. This act was followed by an exceptional performance by TAMA super singer Akhila Eechampati who sang “Ninnu kori”. A classical dance performance coordinated by Ramana Akella to the song “adigo adigo aldigo” changed the mood to a very devotional setting. The wonderful performance by the little girls was followed by a more upbeat Medley dance between Ole Olele and Raye Raye coordinated by Satya Sangabathula and Karthika Reddy. The show was further enlightened by the skit on Vishnu chittudu put together by Sivarani, followed by speeches from chief guest Dr.Syam Reddy and TAMA President Sunil Katepalli.

The following two performances to the songs Jayajaya Nrusimha coordinated by Pramodini and Indian beauty-on the other side coordinated by Aparna Turaga set a very playful tone before the interval. One of the highlights of the show, the Kanya Sulkam Drama coordinated by Sridevi Dadithota and performed by a young cast, was an exhilarating performance that followed the interval. Subsequent performances include a dance to Kolani Gopariki Gobilloo coordinated by Srivalli Maddi and a signing performance put together by Santha Kumari Medicherla. A speech by the chairman of the TAMA Board of Directors Mr. Chand Akkineni, followed the two performances.

More dance performances coordinated by Harika Gorti and Samyuktam Natya Academy followed. The evening ended with a very delightful and uplifting dance to the medley of songs from Brindavanam, Orange and Nenu Meeku Telus coordinated by Bhargav Kondapalli.

The MCs for the event were Bhargav and Jagathy who complemented each other perfectly and charmed the audience with their talks and jokes. The event signoff was marked by a vote of thanks by vice-president, Suresh Peddi and a delicious dinner catered through Sri Krishna Vilas Indian Cuisine.

We thank our event sponsor and this year’s Gold sponsor Srinivas Tatineni of Teknosol Inc for making this event happen. Thanks are due to all the volunteers and supporters for working very hard to make this event a grand success and also every participant, coordinators and choreographers that attended this auspicious Sankranthi event. Special thanks to Phani Dokka for his help with the script for MCs; Shyam Yellamraju for his help with microphones; Sreenivasa Segireddy, Meher Lanka for overseeing the bone marrow drive.